UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced an annual cashless medical facility of Rs 5 lakh for the advocates of the state. Advocates actively practicing in the High Court and District Courts will benefit from this. He assured full support from the government to the proposal coming through the Chief Justice for providing furniture and equipment in the chamber built for more than 10 thousand advocates in the High Court. Also announced to give tablets to 400 state law officers to connect them with modern technology.
Chamber at a cost of about Rs 700 crore
In the felicitation ceremony organized by the High Court Bar Association, Allahabad, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that chambers, multilevel parking, dining hall, common room and library have been constructed for more than 10 thousand advocates at a cost of about Rs 700 crore. The amount of Advocate Welfare Fund has been increased from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
separate funds made available
The age limit for financial assistance to the family members on the death of the advocate has also been increased from 60 to 70 years. Apart from this, separate funds have been made available for the construction of advocate chambers in about a dozen districts including Kaushambi, Lucknow, Kasganj and Shravasti. The Chief Minister said that the advocate community is an important part of the educated class of the country. From freedom movement to constitution making, strengthening the pillars of democracy and nation building, lawyers have played an important role. Bar and Bench are two important pillars of the chariot of justice. There should be continuous mutual respect, courtesy, communication, coordination and cooperation between the two.
Formation of 900 courts approved
In the meeting between the Chief Minister and the Chief Justice, not only the issues related to the judiciary are discussed, but the problems of the advocates are also put forward and ways to solve them are found. Yogi Adityanath said that the judicial infrastructure is being improved in the state. In the 10 districts where district courts were functioning in rented buildings, the work of construction of integrated court complexes has progressed rapidly. In these, along with residences for judicial officers, arrangements are also being made for advocates' chambers, sports facilities, indoor stadium and affordable canteen for advocates. For quick disposal, in the first phase, approval has been given for the formation of 900 courts at the district level.
More than 50 percent increase in fees
The Chief Minister said that the fees of law officers representing the state in the District Court, High Court and Supreme Court have been increased by more than 50 percent. Now tablets will also be provided to 400 state law officers. With this, they will be able to get information about the cases related to governance in the court through modern technology.
CM Yogi Adityanath said that lawyers have played an important role in the rapid adoption of three new laws. Advocates will have to update themselves for new areas like cyber crime, artificial intelligence, data privacy, digital commerce, fintech, intellectual property and climate litigation. The need of the hour is to have a deep understanding of the changes taking place in technology, economy and society. Only a future ready bar will lay the strong foundation of a future ready justice system.
Trust is necessary for a strong justice system
The Chief Minister said that the biggest strength of the justice system is the trust of the common man and its first condition is timely justice. The citizen must be confident that he will get a fair hearing, there will be no discrimination against him and everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. Transparency, honesty in decisions, accountability of institutions and trust of citizens are essential for a strong justice system.
He also said that district courts and jails have been equipped with high-speed internet and video conferencing. The system of virtual testimony has been started in the courts through Nyay Shruti system. Scanning and digitization of court documents has also been expedited. The prosecution system has been linked to an online platform with better coordination between the police and the prosecution, so that the chargesheet and scientific evidence can be placed before the court on time.
Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Arun Bhansali said that the Bar Association is an integral part of the High Court. Many advocates of the Bar have played an important role in strengthening democracy. It is a matter of happiness for the advocates to get parking, building and other facilities. For this he expressed special gratitude to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He said that it is the responsibility of young advocates to take the Bar and the High Court further and serve the people. He also thanked for better coordination between the judiciary and the government.
Source-IANS